664 THE GHOST-DANCE RELIGION [eth. ank.U 



Alarmed at the strange appearance, he was about to abandon his 

 encampment and seek another at a safer distance, when be remembered 

 his dream and the purpose of his journey. It seemed to him that one 

 of these, roads must lead to the place of which he was in search, and he 

 determined, therefore, to remain where In- was until morning, and then 

 take one of the three and follow it to the eud. Accordingly, the next 

 morning, after a. hasty meal, he left Ins encampment, and, burning witli 

 the ardor of discovery, took the widest path, which he followed until 

 noon, when he suddenly saw a large lire issuing apparently from the 

 earth. His curiosity being aroused, he went toward it, but the Are 

 iucreased to such a degree that he became frightened and turned back. 



He now took the next widest of the three paths, which lie followed 

 as before until noon, when a similar fire again drove him back ami 

 compelled him to take the third road, which he kept a whole day with 

 out meeting anything unusual, when suddenly he saw a precipitous 

 mountain of dazzling brightness directly in his path. Recovering from 

 his wonder, he drew near and examined it, but could see no sign of a 

 road to the summit. He was about to give way to disappointment, when, 

 looking up, he saw seated a short distance up the mountain a woman 

 of bright beauty and clad in suow-whitc garments, who addressed him 

 in his own language, telling him that on the summit of the mountain 

 was the abode of the Master of Life, whom he had journeyed so far 

 to meet. " lint to reach it," said she, "you must leave all your cumber- 

 some dress and equipments at the foot, then go and wash in the river 

 which I show you, and afterward ascend the mountain." 



He obeyed her instructions, and on asking how he could hope to 

 climb the mountain, which was steep and slippery as glass, she replied 

 that in order to mount he must use only his left hand and foot. This 

 seemed to him almost impossible, but, encouraged by the woman, he 

 began to climb, and at length, after much difficulty, reached the top. 

 Here the woman suddenly vanished, and he found himself alone with- 

 out a guide. < >n looking about, he saw before him a plain, in the midst 

 of which were three villages, with well-built houses disposed in orderly 

 arrangement. He bent his steps toward the principal one, but after 

 going a short distance he remembered that he was naked, and was 

 about to turn back when a voice told him that as he had washed himself 

 in the river he might go on without fear. Thus bidden, he advanced 

 without, hesitation to the gate of the village, where he was admitted 

 and saw approaching a handsome man in white garments, who offered 

 to lead him into the presence of the Master of Life. Admiring the 

 beauty of everything about him, lie was then conducted to the Master 

 of Life, who took him by the hand anil gave him for a seat, a hat 

 bordered with gold. Afraid of spoiling the hat, he hesitated to sit 

 down until again told to do so, when he obeyed, and the Master ot 

 Life thus addressed him: 



I am tin- Master of Life, win mi yon wish to see and with win mi you wish to speak. 

 Listen to what 1 shall tell yon for yourself and for all t li<- Indians. 



